This drivers’ hours mistake to cost hauliers their licence

UK watchdog: this drivers’ hours mistake could cost hauliers their licence

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Drivers’ hours breaches are back in the spotlight in Britain, with traffic commissioners making clear that repeated failures can have serious consequences for hauliers and transport managers alike.

UK traffic commissioners say serious drivers’ hours and tachograph breaches can lead to licence action against hauliers.

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Britain’s traffic commissioners have issued a blunt warning to hauliers: drivers’ hours offences and tachograph failures are still showing up too often, and they can end in lost licences, disqualification and public inquiry action. The warning was published on 23 March and makes clear that regulators still see repeated failures around breaks, driving limits, records and management oversight.

This is not a new law, but it is a fresh warning shot from the regulator. The commissioners say some operators and drivers still treat the rules as something to pay “lip service” to in the hope of getting ahead.

One of the strongest points in the statement is that there is no research showing that 4.5 hours is automatically a safe period to drive. According to the commissioners, fatigue risk depends on much more than the clock, including the type of journey, the time of day and the driver’s health and circumstances.

The warning lists the same failures turning up again and again: wrong split breaks, exceeding limits, missing manual entries, driving without the card inserted, removing the card mid-shift, and poor follow-up from transport managers. Operators are expected to have proper systems in place, including written procedures, tachograph analysis, signed infringement reports, refresher training and disciplinary action where needed.

Recent decisions show the risk is real. In a case published on 19 March, HGV Quick Transport Ltd had its licence curtailed, while transport manager Sergiu Florin Leho was found not to be of good repute and was disqualified for at least 12 months from relying on his CPC.

In another recent case, Mick Foden Commercials Ltd came under scrutiny after a driver pleaded guilty to 19 offences involving false tachograph entries between August and October 2024.